All ages of children and adults enjoy the uniqueness and creativity of this math addition game.  Each player can be original in finding numbers to add and adults can help keep it at a math level that is just right for a child.

“TOTAL IT” is an addition math game which is different every time it is played.  It is easy to play with just one child or with a group of children and adults.  Just why is it so unique?  Each player creates their own math problem and has to solve it before sharing the problem with the other players for them to solve.

You will need index cards and a pencil Each participant writes down secretly on a card three clues and their answer.  The clues must have a non-variable answer For example, on a card a child wrote down: Hands on a clock 2 Days in a leap year 366 Eggs in a dozen 12 And they secretly TOTAL IT 380

When each player has written down their clues, one player begins and reads/writes their clues Each player will TOTAL IT and when all players have an answer the player who created the clues checks for  correct answers Calculators and other resources may be used to find the answers if needed Depending on how many are playing and their math ability a time limit can be set for either everyone or just the first player to give the correct answer When a player has added the clues together and written down their answer they say aloud “TOTAL IT”.  Remember to wait until all players have finished before revealing the answer After the first player has ended with sharing their clues and hearing the totals, the next participant gives their clues for the next round

Here are some other clue ideas:

• Wheels on a car
• Hours in a day
• Numbers on a clock
• Toes on your feet
• Sides of a stop sign
• Letters in the alphabet
• Teeth in an adult's mouth
• Wings on an eagle
• Nostrils in a nose
• Bases on a ball diamond
• Players per team in the game at one time (baseball, football, soccer.....
• Feet in a mile
• Keys on a piano (white, black or all)
• Stars on an American Flag (stripes work too)
• Lines in a limerick
• Days in a week
• Quarts in a gallon
• Dimes in a dollar

You can see how each round of play can be unique depending on the clue ideas.  You can keep it simple by personalizing the clues

• Buttons on a child's sweater or shirt
• Rings on Mom's fingers
• Number of forks on the dinner table
• Number of animals in the house

Depending on age and skill level, you might want to make the challenge more interesting by combining addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. For example,

Players from one team playing on a football field	11
SUBTRACT – Days in a week (7)	4
MULTIPLY by Lines in a Limerick (5)	20
TOTAL IT	20

Spend some time with a child and enjoy writing your own clues while practicing math skills with TOTAL IT.  You can contact Debi with some of your own original clues too.